Battery cell and cell assembly comprising the same

Abstract

A battery cell according to one aspect of the present invention includes a cell body that houses an electrode stack, and an electrode lead electrically connected to the electrode stack, wherein the electrode lead can include a lead body portion disposed on one side of the cell body, and a recessed portion recessed inward from an edge of the lead body portion and opened in a thickness direction of the lead body portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0009658, filed in Korea on January 22, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to battery cells and cell assemblies including the battery cells, and more specifically, to battery cells consisting of secondary batteries and cell assemblies including the battery cells. Background Technology

[0004] Typically, rechargeable batteries include nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion, and lithium-ion polymer (Li-Ion) batteries. These rechargeable batteries are used not only in small products such as digital cameras, P-DVD players, MP3 players, mobile phones, PDAs, portable gaming devices, power tools, and electric bicycles, but also in large products requiring high power, such as electric or hybrid vehicles, in energy storage devices for storing excess electricity or renewable energy, and in backup energy storage devices.

[0005] Secondary batteries can be supplied in the form of battery cells. Based on the shape of the external material housing the battery cell, battery cells are classified as cylindrical, prismatic, or pouch-shaped, and based on the shape of the electrode assembly, battery cells are broadly classified as: a wound core type in which a separator is inserted between long sheet-shaped positive and negative electrodes coated with active material and wound up; a stacked type in which multiple positive and negative electrodes of predetermined size are stacked sequentially and a separator is inserted between the positive and negative electrodes; and a stacked / folded type in which a stacked unit cell is wound with a long separator.

[0006] Furthermore, several battery cells can be connected to form a cell assembly. This can be to increase the chargeable and dischargeable capacity or voltage. For this purpose, the electrode leads of the battery cells can be interconnected. Electrode leads are conductive components that protrude or extend to the outside of the battery cell and are configured to connect the electrode assembly located inside the battery cell to an external power source, load, or component. These electrode leads are typically provided in the form of films, sheets, wires, busbars, or metal sheets.

[0007] However, conventionally, a soldering process is used to connect the electrode leads of the battery cells to each other. The electrode leads of the battery cells are electrically connected either by directly soldering them to each other or by soldering them together to a busbar that serves as an intermediate medium.

[0008] This conventional connection method not only presents challenges in bending electrode leads to stack and modularize battery cells, but also requires additional components such as busbars to perform the welding process. Furthermore, after several battery cells are welded together, it is difficult to select and separate specific battery cells from them.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need to develop a battery cell and a cell assembly that can be connected to other adjacent battery cells without using a welding process. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Technical issues

[0011] This disclosure was designed to address the problems in the related technologies, and therefore aims to provide a battery cell and a cell assembly including the battery cell that can be connected to other adjacent battery cells without using a welding process.

[0012] The technical problems to be solved by this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art can clearly understand from the following description of this disclosure other problems not mentioned herein.

[0013] Technical solution

[0014] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a battery cell is provided, the battery cell comprising: a cell body that houses an electrode stack; and an electrode lead electrically connected to the electrode stack, wherein the electrode lead comprises: a lead body portion disposed on one side of the cell body; and a recessed portion that is concave inward from the edge of the lead body portion and opens in the thickness direction of the lead body portion.

[0015] At this point, the recessed portion can be configured to allow the electrode leads of other adjacent battery cells to be connected in a form-fit manner.

[0016] At this point, the recessed portion can be formed by passing through the lead body portion in the thickness direction.

[0017] At this point, the electrode lead may also include an inner connecting portion that protrudes convexly or recesses concavely on the inner wall of the recessed portion.

[0018] At this point, multiple inner joins can be configured.

[0019] At this time, the inner wall of the recessed portion may include a first surface formed in the thickness direction of the lead body portion; and a second surface facing the first surface, wherein the inner connection portion may include a first inner connection portion formed on the first surface and a second inner connection portion formed on the second surface.

[0020] At this point, the lead body portion can extend along the edge of the cell body in one direction, and the first surface and the second surface can be set to face each other in one direction.

[0021] At this time, the electrode lead may also include an external connecting portion with a convex protrusion or a concave recess on the outer surface of the lead body portion.

[0022] At this time, the outer connecting part can be spaced apart from the recessed part in the direction of the recess.

[0023] At this point, multiple inner joins can be configured.

[0024] At this time, the external connection portion may include a first external connection portion formed on one surface of the lead body portion; and a second external connection portion formed on another surface of the lead body portion opposite to the first external connection portion.

[0025] At this time, the electrode lead may also include an inner connecting portion, which protrudes convexly or recesses concavely on the inner wall of the recessed portion; and an outer connecting portion, which protrudes convexly or recesses concavely on the outer surface of the lead body portion, wherein one of the inner connecting portion and the outer connecting portion may protrude convexly and the other may recess concavely.

[0026] At this point, the recessed portions can be set in multiples and spaced apart along the edge of the lead body portion.

[0027] At this point, the electrode leads can be configured as a pair.

[0028] At this point, a pair of electrode leads can be arranged opposite each other with the cell body as the center.

[0029] At this point, the main body of the lead wire can have a plate shape.

[0030] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a battery cell assembly is provided, the battery cell assembly comprising: a plurality of battery cells, each of the plurality of battery cells comprising: a cell body that houses an electrode stack; and an electrode lead electrically connected to the electrode stack, and comprising a plate-shaped lead body portion and a recessed portion disposed on one side of the cell body, the recessed portion being concave inward from the edge of the lead body portion and opening in the thickness direction of the lead body portion, wherein the electrode leads of adjacent battery cells among the plurality of battery cells are connected to each other in a form-fit manner.

[0031] At this time, the multiple battery cells may include a first battery cell and a second battery cell, wherein the lead body portion of the first battery cell and the lead body portion of the second battery cell can be configured to be orthogonal to each other, and the recessed portion of the first battery cell and the recessed portion of the second battery cell can be connected to each other.

[0032] At this time, the multiple battery cells may include a first battery cell and a second battery cell. The electrode leads of the first battery cell may also include an inner connecting portion that protrudes convexly or recesses concavely on the inner wall of the recessed portion, and the electrode leads of the second battery cell may also include an outer connecting portion that protrudes convexly or recesses concavely on the outer surface of the lead body portion. One of the inner connecting portion and the outer connecting portion may protrude convexly and the other may be recessed concavely. The inner connecting portion of the first battery cell and the outer connecting portion of the second battery cell may be connected to each other in a form-fit manner.

[0033] At this time, the recessed portions can be set to n (n is a natural number of 2 or greater) and set to be spaced apart along the edge of the lead body portion, and the multiple battery cells can include: n battery cells stacked in a first direction; and n battery cells stacked in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, wherein the n battery cells stacked in the second direction can be respectively connected to the n recessed portions of the battery cells stacked in the first direction in a form-fit manner.

[0034] Beneficial effects

[0035] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the electrode leads of the battery cell include recessed portions that are concave inward from the edge and open in the thickness direction, such that the electrode leads of adjacent battery cells can be connected to the recessed portions in a form-fit manner.

[0036] Therefore, a battery cell according to one aspect of this disclosure and a cell assembly including the battery cell can be connected to other adjacent battery cells without using a welding process for electrical connection.

[0037] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an external connection portion and / or an internal connection portion are disposed on an electrode lead, which can be connected in a form-fit manner to the electrode lead of another battery cell connected to the recessed portion, thereby allowing the battery cells to be more securely connected and linked.

[0038] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the recessed portions of the electrode leads are provided in a plurality of configurations and are spaced apart along the edges, such that a plurality of other battery cells can be coupled and connected to them in a form-fit manner.

[0039] The effects obtained through this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other effects not mentioned herein can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art based on this specification and the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0040] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a battery cell according to the first embodiment of this disclosure.

[0041] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A magnified view of part A.

[0042] Figure 3 It's an observation from another perspective. Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of part A.

[0043] Figure 4 It's an observation from yet another perspective. Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of part A.

[0044] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a battery cell assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 5 The diagram shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the battery cell assembly with the electrode leads connected to each other.

[0046] Figure 7 It is shown Figure 5 The diagram shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of the battery cell assembly with the electrode leads connected to each other.

[0047] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of a battery cell according to the second embodiment of this disclosure.

[0048] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of a battery cell assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of a battery cell assembly according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0050] Preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail to enable those skilled in the art to readily implement it. However, this disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to or construed as described below.

[0051] In order to clearly describe this disclosure, detailed descriptions of relevant known techniques that are irrelevant or may unnecessarily obscure the essential points of this disclosure have been omitted, and throughout this disclosure, the same or similar reference numerals are attached to the same or similar elements when reference numerals are attached to the elements in each figure.

[0052] Furthermore, it should be understood that the terms or words used in this disclosure and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to their general or dictionary meanings, but rather as being interpreted based on their meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical aspects of this disclosure, on the basis of allowing the inventors to appropriately define the terms for best interpretation.

[0053] Figure 1This is a perspective view of a battery cell according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A magnified view of part A. Figure 3 It's an observation from another perspective. Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of part A. Figure 4 It's an observation from yet another perspective. Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of part A. Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a battery cell assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 It is shown Figure 5 The diagram shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the battery cell assembly with the electrode leads connected to each other. Figure 7 It is shown Figure 5 The diagram shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of the battery cell assembly with the electrode leads connected to each other.

[0054] Figure 5 A cell assembly 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is disclosed. (Refer to...) Figure 5 According to the first embodiment of this disclosure, the cell assembly 1 can be an assembly in which multiple battery cells 10a, 10b are interconnected for electrical connection. Therefore, the charging and discharging capacity and voltage in the cell assembly 1 can be increased.

[0055] At this time, in the cell assembly 1 according to this embodiment, a plurality of battery cells 10a and 10b are electrically connected to each other by form-fitting. That is, in this embodiment, the battery cells 10a and 10b can be connected without using a welding process.

[0056] In this way, the cell assembly 1 according to this embodiment can improve the problems caused by the connection method of the welding process.

[0057] For example, according to this embodiment, additional components such as busbars for the welding process may not be required. As another example, according to this embodiment, the electrode leads 30a, 30b of the battery cells 10a, 10b do not need to be bent for welding. As yet another example, according to this embodiment, only certain battery cells 10a, 10b can be separated from the plurality of battery cells 10a, 10b connected to each other, thereby reducing the maintenance cost of the cell assembly 1 and increasing the recycling rate.

[0058] The configuration of battery cells 10a and 10b constituting the battery cell assembly 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below. Battery cells 10a and 10b may be battery cells according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] Reference Figure 1According to the first embodiment of this disclosure, the battery cell 10 may include a cell body 20. The cell body 20 may consist of an electrode assembly responsible for charging and discharging the battery cell 10 and a housing that houses the electrode assembly.

[0060] In this embodiment, the electrode assembly may consist of a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a diaphragm inserted therebetween. The electrode assembly may be provided in a stacked, stack-folded, or coiled manner, but its type or structure is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the housing may be provided in a bag-shaped, square, or cylindrical manner, but its type or structure is not particularly limited.

[0061] In this embodiment, the battery cell body 20 will be described under the premise that it is formed by a block-shaped body extending in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) as shown in the figure.

[0062] Reference Figures 1 to 4 According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery cell 10 may include electrode leads 30. The electrode leads 30 are configured to electrically connect an electrode assembly disposed in the cell body 20 to an external load, a power source, or another adjacent battery cell.

[0063] In this embodiment, the electrode lead 30 may include a lead body portion 40 made of a conductive material. The lead body portion 40 may be disposed on one side of the cell body 20.

[0064] In this embodiment, the lead body portion 40 is configured to be connected to an adjacent battery cell in a form-fit manner, such that the lead body portion 40 preferably has a predetermined stiffness to ensure that the connection remains stable.

[0065] Therefore, the lead body portion 40 can be configured as a block-shaped member or plate having a predetermined thickness in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Furthermore, at least a portion of the lead body portion 40 can be positioned inside the cell body 20 and can be directly or indirectly connected to the electrode assembly.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lead body portion 40 can extend along the edge of the cell body 20. As shown in the figure, the lead body portion 40 can extend along an edge provided in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) on the right side (positive direction of the Y-axis) of the cell body 20.

[0067] Of course, taking into account the shape of the cell body 20 and the connection structure with other battery cells, the lead body portion 40 can be formed to be at least partially bent as needed.

[0068] In addition, refer to again Figures 2 to 4According to the first embodiment of this disclosure, the electrode lead 30 of the battery cell may include a recessed portion 50. The recessed portion 50 is a portion of the electrode lead 30 for connecting to other adjacent battery cells in a form-fit manner.

[0069] In this embodiment, the recessed portion 50 may be formed on the edge of the lead body portion 40. As an example, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the edge of the lead body portion 40 can be an edge extending in the front-back direction (X-axis direction) on the right side (positive direction of the Y-axis) of the lead body portion 40.

[0070] Furthermore, the recessed portion 50 can be roughly positioned at the center of the edge of the lead body portion 40. Of course, the position of the recessed portion 50 can be appropriately adjusted according to the connection structure with the adjacent battery cell.

[0071] In this embodiment, the recessed portion 50 can be formed by recessing from the edge of the lead body portion 40 toward the interior of the lead body portion 40 to the left (negative direction of the Y-axis). Furthermore, the recessed portion 50 can have an opening in the thickness direction of the lead body portion 40.

[0072] More specifically, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the recessed portion 50 can be formed through the lead body portion 40 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) in the thickness direction of the lead body portion 40. In other words, the upper part of the recessed portion 50 can be opened through the upper surface 42 of the lead body portion 40, and its lower part can be opened through the lower surface 44 of the lead body portion 40.

[0073] This configuration allows the electrode leads of other adjacent battery cells to be inserted into the recessed portion 50 of the battery cell 10 in the thickness direction (i.e., vertical direction) of the lead body portion 40. As a result, the battery cells can be connected to each other in a form-fit manner.

[0074] In addition, refer to Figures 2 to 4 In this embodiment, the recessed portion 50 may include a first surface 52 to a third surface 56. The first surface 52 to the third surface 56 may be the surfaces forming the inner wall of the recessed portion 50.

[0075] In this embodiment, the first surface 52 may be a surface formed in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) of the thickness direction of the lead body portion 40. A side surface provided on the upper part of the first surface 52 may be connected to the upper surface 42 of the lead body portion 40, and a side surface provided on the lower part of the first surface 52 may be connected to the lower surface 44 of the lead body portion 40.

[0076] In this embodiment, the second surface 54 may be a surface facing the first surface 52 and spaced apart in a predetermined direction. In this case, the direction in which the first surface 52 and the second surface 54 are spaced apart may be the front-back direction (X-axis direction) that is the extension direction of the lead body portion 40.

[0077] Therefore, the electrode lead of another battery cell can be inserted between the first surface 52 and the second surface 54. At this time, the distance between the first surface 52 and the second surface 54 (hereinafter referred to as the width of the recessed portion 50) can be equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the electrode lead of the other battery cell.

[0078] Here, the difference between the width of the recessed portion 50 and the thickness of the electrode lead of the other battery cell can be determined by taking into account the tolerances of the fit. As a result, the electrode leads of the other battery cells can fit between the first surface 52 and the second surface 54, thereby further increasing the connection force between the battery cells.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second surface 54 may extend in the thickness direction (i.e., the vertical direction) of the lead body portion 40 to be parallel to the first surface 52 (or side-by-side with the first surface 52). A side surface disposed on the upper part of the second surface 54 may be connected to the upper surface 42 of the lead body portion 40, and a side surface disposed on the lower part of the second surface 54 may be connected to the lower surface 44 of the lead body portion 40.

[0080] However, the first surface 52 and the second surface 54 may be tilted relative to each other at a predetermined angle as needed, or the first surface 52 and the second surface 54 may include curved surfaces.

[0081] In this embodiment, the third surface 56 may be disposed between the first surface 52 and the second surface 54. The third surface 56 may not be parallel to the first surface 52 and the second surface 54. As shown, the third surface 56 may be perpendicular to the first surface 52 and the second surface 54.

[0082] As a result, the first surface 52 and the second surface 54 can be connected via the third surface 56. More specifically, the front portion of the third surface 56 can be connected to the side disposed on the left side (negative direction of the Y-axis) of the first surface 52, and the rear portion can be connected via the third surface 56 to the side disposed on the left side (negative direction of the Y-axis) of the second surface 54.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the third surface 56 can extend in the thickness direction (i.e., the vertical direction) of the lead body portion 40. The side provided on the upper part of the third surface 56 can be connected to the upper surface 42 of the lead body portion 40, and the side provided on the lower part can be connected to the lower surface 44 of the lead body portion 40.

[0084] The third surface 56 can perform the following function: during the process of connecting the electrode lead of another battery cell to the recess 50, the depth to which the electrode lead of the other battery cell is inserted into the recess 50.

[0085] Refer again Figures 2 to 5 According to the first embodiment of this disclosure, the electrode lead 30 of the battery cell may include an inner connection portion 60. The inner connection portion 60 is configured to increase the connection force between the battery cell and another battery cell.

[0086] In this embodiment, the inner connection portion 60 can be formed on the inner wall of the recessed portion 50. As shown, the inner connection portion 60 can protrude from the inner wall of the recessed portion 50. This allows the electrode lead of another battery cell inserted into the recessed portion 50 to be held in place by the inner connection portion 64. This increases the connection force between the battery cells.

[0087] As an example, the inner link portion 60 may have a convex hemispherical or semi-elliptical shape, but is not limited to these. As another example, the inner link portion 60 may be set to the shape of a polygonal pyramid or polygonal prism, or it may be set to a hook shape.

[0088] In this embodiment, the inner connection portion 60 can be provided in multiple ways. As shown in the figure, the inner connection portion 60 may include a first inner connection portion 62 formed on the first surface 52 and a second inner connection portion 64 formed on the second surface 54.

[0089] As a result, the electrode leads of another battery cell inserted into the recessed portion 50 can be held in place on two surfaces by the first inner connection portion 62 and the second inner connection portion 64, respectively, and thus can be more securely fixed to the interior of the recessed portion 50.

[0090] Refer again Figures 1 to 4 According to the first embodiment of this disclosure, the electrode lead 30 of the battery cell may include an external connection portion 70. The external connection portion 70 is configured to increase the connection force between the current battery cell and another battery cell.

[0091] In this embodiment, the external connection portion 70 may be formed on the outer surface of the lead body portion 40. As shown, the external connection portion 70 may be formed as a concave recess in the outer surface of the lead body portion 40.

[0092] As an example, the outer connecting portion 70 may have a concave groove shape that is hemispherical or semi-elliptical. As another example, the outer connecting portion 70 may be configured to hold a ring in the shape of a hook, or it may be configured to have a groove whose internal space is a polygonal pyramid or polygonal prism.

[0093] This configuration can increase the connection force between battery cells by allowing a protrusion (e.g., an inner connection portion) on the electrode lead of another battery cell to be engaged by an outer connection portion 70 on the electrode lead 30 of that battery cell.

[0094] In this embodiment, the external connection portion 70 can be configured as a plurality of them. The plurality of external connection portions 70 can be configured as follows: Figure 3 The diagram shows a first external connection portion 72 formed on the upper surface 42 of the lead body portion 40. Furthermore, multiple external connection portions 70 can be configured as follows: Figure 5 The diagram shows a second external connection portion 74 formed on the lower surface 44 of the lead body portion 40.

[0095] In this embodiment, the first external connection portion 72 and the second external connection portion 74 can be arranged oppositely in the thickness direction (i.e., the vertical direction) of the lead body portion 40. As a result, a more compact connection structure can be provided between the battery cells.

[0096] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the outer connecting portion 70 can be positioned spaced apart in the direction of the recessed portion 50. Based on Figure 1 The outer connecting portion 70 is positioned to the left (in the negative direction of the Y-axis) of the recessed portion 50.

[0097] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first external connection portion 72 can be positioned between the recessed portion 50 and the cell body 20, spaced to the left from the recessed portion 50. Figure 5 As shown, the second external connection portion 74 can be positioned between the recessed portion 50 and the cell body 20, spaced to the left from the recessed portion 50.

[0098] This can be considered in the configuration of the battery cell connection method. Specifically, the electrode leads of other battery cells are connected while moving along the recessed direction of the recessed portion 50. That is, the electrode leads of other battery cells move along a path formed in the recessed direction. Therefore, as a portion of the electrode lead is inserted into the recessed portion 50, the other portion faces the outward connection portion 70 and can be connected in a form-fit manner.

[0099] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner connecting portion 60 is configured as a convex protrusion and the outer connecting portion 70 is configured as a concave recess, but if necessary, the inner connecting portion 60 can be configured as a concave recess and the outer connecting portion 70 can be configured as a convex protrusion.

[0100] Refer again Figure 1In this embodiment, the electrode leads 30 can be configured as a pair. In this case, one of the pair of electrode leads 30 can be a positive lead connected to the positive terminal of the electrode assembly, and the other can be a negative lead connected to the negative terminal of the electrode assembly.

[0101] In this embodiment, a pair of electrode leads 30 can be arranged opposite each other with the cell body 20 as the center. Of course, the relative positions of the pair of electrode leads 30 can be appropriately changed as needed.

[0102] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pair of electrode leads 30 are shown to have the same shape. However, the pair of electrode leads 30 can be configured to have different shapes or structures as needed.

[0103] In the following description, a cell assembly according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be depicted with reference to different accompanying drawings.

[0104] Reference Figure 5 According to the first embodiment of this disclosure, the battery cell assembly 1 may include a plurality of battery cells 10a and 10b. In this case, the plurality of battery cells 10a and 10b may include a first battery cell 10a and a second battery cell 10b that are adjacent to each other and connected in a form-fitting manner. In this embodiment, the first battery cell 10a and the second battery cell 10b may be... Figures 1 to 4 The battery cell 10 shown is shown.

[0105] Refer again Figure 5 In this embodiment, the lead body portion 40a of the first battery cell 10a and the lead body portion 40b of the second battery cell 10b can be configured to be orthogonal to each other.

[0106] In other words, the lead body portion 40a of the first battery cell 10a can be arranged in the thickness direction of the lead body portion 40b of the second battery cell 10b, and the lead body portion 40b of the second battery cell 10b can be arranged in the thickness direction of the lead body portion 40a of the first battery cell 10a. Here, the thickness direction of the lead body portion 40b of the second battery cell 10b can be the front-back direction (X-axis direction) in the figure, and the thickness direction of the lead body portion 40a of the first battery cell 10a can be the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) in the figure.

[0107] This arrangement allows the recessed portion 50a of the first battery cell 10a and the recessed portion 50b of the second battery cell 10b to be connected to each other by fitting together in a form-fitting manner. This is because the recessed portions 50a and 50b are open in the thickness direction of their respective lead body portions 40a and 40b.

[0108] The structure in which the recessed portion 50a of the first battery cell 10a and the recessed portion 50b of the second battery cell 10b are connected to each other will be described in detail below.

[0109] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 As the recessed portion 50a of the first battery cell 10a and the recessed portion 50b of the second battery cell 10b mate with each other, the side portion of the lead body portion 40a of the first battery cell 10a can be fitted into the recessed portion 50b of the second battery cell 10b. In other words, the lead body portion 40a of the first battery cell 10a can be inserted between the first surface 52b and the second surface 54b of the second battery cell 10b.

[0110] Therefore, the upper surface 42a and lower surface 44a of the lead body portion 40a of the first battery cell 10a can be positioned facing each other while respectively adjacent to the first surface 52b and the second surface 54b of the recessed portion 50b of the second battery cell 10b. Furthermore, the third surface 56a of the recessed portion 50a of the first battery cell 10a and the third surface 56b of the recessed portion 50b of the second battery cell 10b can be positioned facing each other while adjacent to each other.

[0111] Here, setting two surfaces to be adjacent to each other can mean that the two surfaces are in face-to-face contact, or that even if they are not in face-to-face contact, they are only separated by a very small distance relative to their width or length.

[0112] At this time, the first inner connection portion 62b and the second inner connection portion 64b of the second battery cell 10b can respectively fit into the first outer connection portion 72a and the second outer connection portion 74a of the first battery cell 10a in a form-fit manner. As a result, the inner connection portions 62b and 64b are held in place by the outer connection portions 72a and 74a, so that the lead body portion 40a of the first battery cell 10a does not detach from the recessed portion 50b of the second battery cell 10b.

[0113] Similarly, refer to Figure 5 and Figure 7 As the recessed portion 50a of the first battery cell 10a and the recessed portion 50b of the second battery cell 10b mate with each other, the side portion of the lead body portion 40b of the second battery cell 10b can be fitted into the recessed portion 50a of the first battery cell 10a. In other words, the lead body portion 40b of the second battery cell 10b can be inserted between the first surface 52a and the second surface 54a of the first battery cell 10a.

[0114] Therefore, the upper surface 42b and lower surface 44b of the lead body portion 40b of the second battery cell 10b can be positioned facing each other while respectively adjacent to the first surface 52a and the second surface 54a of the recessed portion 50a of the first battery cell 10a. Furthermore, the third surface 56b of the recessed portion 50b of the second battery cell 10b and the third surface 56a of the recessed portion 50a of the first battery cell 10a can be positioned facing each other while adjacent to each other.

[0115] At this time, the first inner connection portion 62a and the second inner connection portion 64a of the first battery cell 10a can be fitted into the first outer connection portion 72b and the second outer connection portion 74b of the second battery cell 10b in a form-fit manner, respectively. As a result, the inner connection portions 62a and 64a are held in place by the outer connection portions 72b and 74b, so that the lead body portion 40b of the second battery cell 10b does not separate from the recessed portion 50a of the first battery cell 10a.

[0116] As described above, in the cell assembly 1 according to the first embodiment of this disclosure, without using a welding process, the electrode leads 30 of the battery cell 10 are connected to the electrode leads 30 of other adjacent battery cells 10 in a form-fit manner. Therefore, the problems caused by the welding process can be improved in the cell assembly 1 according to this embodiment.

[0117] In the following, a battery cell and a cell assembly including the battery cell according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to different accompanying drawings.

[0118] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of a battery cell according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 9 This is a perspective view of a battery cell assembly according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 10 This is a perspective view of a battery cell assembly according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the same reference numerals as in the drawings shown above indicate the same components performing the same functions.

[0119] Figure 8 A battery cell 110 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is disclosed.

[0120] Reference Figure 8 According to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery cell 110 may include a cell body 20 and an electrode lead 130, wherein the electrode lead 130 may include a lead body portion 40, a recessed portion 50, an inner connection portion 60 and an outer connection portion 70.

[0121] In this case, in the battery cell 110 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the recessed portions 50 of the electrode leads 130 can be configured as n. As an example, as shown in the figure, the recessed portions 50 can be configured as two. Furthermore, the n recessed portions 50 can be arranged to be spaced apart along the edge of the lead body portion 40.

[0122] In this embodiment, each of the recessed portions 50 can be configured such that the electrode leads of different battery cells are connected in a form-fit manner. Therefore, up to n different battery cells can be electrically connected to a single battery cell 110.

[0123] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner connection portion 60 and the outer connection portion 70 can be configured as n, corresponding to the number of recessed portions 50. Moreover, the n inner connection portions 60 and the n outer connection portions 70 can be positioned to correspond to the n recessed portions 50, respectively. This configuration further increases the connection force of the battery cell connected to the battery cell 110.

[0124] Figure 9 A cell assembly 101 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is disclosed.

[0125] Reference Figure 9 According to the second embodiment of this disclosure, the cell assembly 101 can be formed by a plurality of battery cells 110 interconnected with each other. In this case, the battery cell 110 can be the battery cell 110 according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. More specifically, the electrode leads 130 of the battery cell 110 can each include n recessed portions 50.

[0126] Furthermore, the cell assembly 101 according to the second embodiment of this disclosure may include n battery cells 110 stacked in a vertical direction (Z-axis direction). As an example, such as... Figure 9 As shown, n can be 2. Furthermore, the n battery cells 110 can be configured such that the lead body portion 40 faces the front-back direction (X-axis direction).

[0127] In this embodiment, the cell assembly 101 may include n battery cells 110 stacked in a front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). As an example, as shown in the figure, n can be 2. Furthermore, the n battery cells 110 may be arranged such that the lead body portion 40 faces the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0128] In this embodiment, the recessed portions 50 of the n battery cells 110 stacked in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) can be respectively connected to the n recessed portions 50 included in the battery cells 110 stacked in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) in a form-fit manner.

[0129] In other words, the recessed portions 50 of the n battery cells 110 stacked in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) can be respectively connected to the n recessed portions 50 included in the battery cells 110 stacked in the front-back direction (X-axis direction) in a form-fit manner.

[0130] Furthermore, the battery cell assembly 101 according to the second embodiment of this disclosure may also include n battery cells 110 stacked in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) and / or n battery cells 110 stacked in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). These battery cells 110 may be arranged alternately in rows along the left-to-right direction (Y-axis direction) and may be connected to each other in a form-fitting manner. In this way, the battery cell assembly 101 can have a larger capacity and / or voltage.

[0131] Figure 10 A cell assembly 201 according to a third embodiment of this disclosure is disclosed. (See also...) Figure 10 According to the third embodiment of this disclosure, the cell assembly 201 can be composed of multiple unit cell assemblies 201. In this case, the unit cell assembly 201 can be based on a combination of... Figure 9 The cell assembly 101 of the second embodiment of this disclosure is described.

[0132] As shown in the figure, multiple cell assemblies 101 can extend side by side along the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). Furthermore, the multiple cell assemblies 101 can be arranged in a grid shape along the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) and the front-back direction (X-axis direction). In this way, more battery cells 110 can be electrically connected within a limited space without using a welding process.

[0133] Furthermore, in this embodiment, there are no particular limitations on the method of arranging the multiple cell assemblies 101. As an example, the multiple cell assemblies 101 may be stacked only in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) or only in the front-back direction (X-axis direction).

[0134] The present disclosure has been described above with respect to a limited number of embodiments and accompanying drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains may implement it in various forms within the scope of the technical aspects of the present disclosure and the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0135] [List of reference numerals]

[0136] 1, 101, 201: Battery cell assembly

[0137] 10, 110: Battery cells

[0138] 20: Battery cell body

[0139] 30, 130: Electrode leads

[0140] 40: Lead wire body

[0141] 50: Depressed portion

[0142] 60: Inner link section

[0143] 70: External join part

Claims

1. A battery cell, the battery cell comprising: A battery cell body, wherein the battery cell body houses an electrode stack; as well as Electrode leads, which are electrically connected to the electrode stack. The electrode leads include: The lead wire body portion is disposed on one side of the cell body; and The recessed portion is recessed inward from the edge of the lead body portion and opens in the thickness direction of the lead body portion.

2. The battery cell according to claim 1, in, The recessed portion is configured to allow the electrode leads of other adjacent battery cells to be connected in a form-fit manner.

3. The battery cell according to claim 1, in, The recessed portion is formed by passing through the lead body portion in the thickness direction of the lead body portion.

4. The battery cell according to claim 1, in, The electrode lead also includes an inner connecting portion that protrudes convexly or recesses concavely on the inner wall of the recessed portion.

5. The battery cell according to claim 4, in, The inner connection portion is configured as multiple.

6. The battery cell according to claim 5, in, The inner wall of the recessed portion includes: A first surface is formed in the thickness direction of the lead body portion; and A second surface, the second surface facing the first surface. The inner connection portion includes: A first internal connection portion, the first internal connection portion being formed on the first surface; and The second inner connection portion is formed on the second surface.

7. The battery cell according to claim 6, in, The lead body portion extends along the edge of the cell body in one direction, and The first surface and the second surface are configured to be opposite each other in the one direction.

8. The battery cell according to claim 1, in, The electrode lead also includes an external connecting portion that is convex or concave on the outer surface of the lead body.

9. The battery cell according to claim 8, in, The external connecting portion is spaced apart from the recessed portion in the direction of the recess.

10. The battery cell according to claim 8, in, The external connection portion is configured as multiple.

11. The battery cell according to claim 10, in, The external connection portion includes: A first external connection portion is formed on a surface of the lead body portion; and The second external connection portion is formed on another surface of the lead body portion opposite to the first external connection portion.

12. The battery cell according to claim 1, in, The electrode leads also include: The inner connecting portion, wherein the inner connecting portion protrudes convexly or recesses concavely on the inner wall of the recessed portion; and The external connection portion is a convex protrusion or a concave recess on the outer surface of the lead body portion. In this configuration, one of the inner connecting portion and the outer connecting portion is convex, and the other is concave.

13. The battery cell according to claim 1, in, The recessed portions are provided in multiple portions and are spaced apart along the edge of the lead body portion.

14. The battery cell according to claim 1, in, The electrode leads are configured as a pair.

15. The battery cell according to claim 14, in, The pair of electrode leads are arranged opposite each other with the cell body as the center.

16. The battery cell according to claim 1, in, The main body of the lead wire has a plate shape.

17. A battery cell assembly, the battery cell assembly comprising: A plurality of battery cells, each of the plurality of battery cells comprising: The cell body, which houses the electrode stack; and An electrode lead, electrically connected to the electrode stack, includes a plate-shaped lead body portion and a recessed portion. The lead body portion is disposed on one side of the cell body, and the recessed portion is concave inward from the edge of the lead body portion and opens in the thickness direction of the lead body portion. Among the plurality of battery cells, the electrode leads of adjacent battery cells are connected to each other in a form-fit manner.

18. The cell assembly according to claim 17, in, The plurality of battery cells includes a first battery cell and a second battery cell. Wherein, the lead body portion of the first battery cell and the lead body portion of the second battery cell are arranged orthogonally to each other, and The recessed portion of the first battery cell and the recessed portion of the second battery cell are connected to each other.

19. The cell assembly according to claim 17, in, The plurality of battery cells includes a first battery cell and a second battery cell. The electrode leads of the first battery cell further include an inner connecting portion that protrudes convexly or recesses concavely on the inner wall of the recessed portion. The electrode leads of the second battery cell also include an external connecting portion that protrudes or recesses on the outer surface of the lead body portion. In this configuration, one of the inner connecting portion and the outer connecting portion protrudes convexly, while the other is recessed concavely. The inner connection portion of the first battery cell and the outer connection portion of the second battery cell are connected to each other in a form-fit manner.

20. The cell assembly according to claim 17, in, The recessed portions are set to n (n is a natural number of 2 or greater) and are arranged to be spaced apart along the edge of the lead body portion, and The plurality of battery cells include: n battery cells stacked in the first direction; and n battery cells stacked in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. In this configuration, the n battery cells stacked in the second direction are respectively connected to the n recessed portions of the battery cells stacked in the first direction in a form-fit manner.

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